House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 6 says goodbye to one major character and changes Westeros forever - a recap

House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 6, titled "The Butcher's Ball," is out, and the latest chapter features several major developments that make the civil war even more dangerous. However, the biggest moment is Criston Cole's final battle.

He leads his tired army into the Riverlands expecting a memorable last stand, but instead they are overwhelmed by Northern soldiers and Riverlanders under Oscar Tully. Rather than dying heroically, Cole is unexpectedly killed by archers hiding in the trees. This made his death even more humiliating than expected.

Meanwhile, Rhaenyra has a lot of duties as the new queen, and she's already feeling the pressure. King's Landing doesn't have enough money, and Gold Cloaks abandon their posts because they are unpaid. Not only this, but episode 6 of House of the Dragon Season 3 also shows how ordinary people are facing hunger and crimes are increasing in the city.

Hugh Hammer also becomes a key figure in this episode as his wife challenges him. Then, it also introduces an important revelation about dragon eggs and ends on a tense cliffhanger as Corlys Velaryon is attacked.

Want to know how the events unfold in the latest episode? Read below!

House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 6 recap: A look into Criston Cole’s humiliating death and new alliances

Episode 6 of House of the Dragon Season 3 opens with an unexpected twist: Criston Cole dies before a major battle can even begin. Instead of the death he imagined for himself, he is killed by arrows from a distance.

If you've been keeping up with the HBO series, you know that this is an unceremonious end for someone who proudly viewed himself as the realm’s greatest warrior. Even so, his final moments reveal what mattered most to him personally, as he dies clutching Alicent’s handkerchief, showing that his feelings for her remained with him until the end.

As the story moves forward, Gwayne has already moved in another direction and reaches Tumbleton, where he comes under the command of Ormund. While the Lord of Oldtown is also determined to take down enemies, he prefers sending his men to fight and enjoy the chaos, unlike Cole.

Following Gwayne's arrival, Daeron gets a chance to reveal more of his true nature. Unlike his public behavior, he admits he only acts obediently around Ormund to avoid conflict.

Daeron appears thoughtful, humble, and uninterested in claiming power. He even confesses that he dislikes the version of himself that emerges around Ormund, making him seem far more balanced and mature than most of Viserys’ other children.

House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 6 recap: Failed assassinations, frustrated dragonriders, and Rhaenyra’s difficult decisions

Episode 6 of House of the Dragon Season 3 continues, and we know that although Daeron is known as "the Daring," the latest chapter reveals that he is actually cautious rather than fearless. On the other side, Daemon secretly disguises himself as a Gold Cloak and takes down one of the fighters connected to Ormund’s hidden operation.

As for Queen Rhaenyra, she attempts a different strategy by sending people disguised as Baratheon supporters to assassinate both Ormund and Daeron. However, Gwayne wasted no time in identifying the deception, and the mission failed.

Ironically, the failed attack strengthens the relationship between Gwayne and Ormund instead of weakening it. Daemon argues that directly eliminating their enemies would have been the better approach, but Rhaenyra once again rejects his violent solution.

Even during a small council meeting in episode 6 of House of the Dragon Season 3, Daemon uses his sharp tongue and mocks Manderly after complaints about dragons emerge. At the same time, the Dragonseeds are becoming increasingly frustrated.

Hugh and Ulf have spent a lot of days patrolling instead of enjoying the new status as dragonriders. Ulf is forbidden from showing off his dragon or visiting taverns, while Hugh faces disappointment when his wife criticizes him for leaving her behind to pursue a dragon.

This suggests that the new roles as dragonriders aren't so exciting, as they bring isolation. Despite these warning signs, Rhaenyra remains completely occupied by larger political problems and fails to notice their growing dissatisfaction.

House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 6 ending: Alicent's dangerous gamble and Aemond's future as new threats emerge

Now that Rhaenyra is the queen, she continues to face problems inside King’s Landing, including Alicent’s failed escape attempt. She knows that punishment is necessary to protect her authority, but she chooses only to remove Alicent and Helaena’s freedom to go outdoors.

After learning Helaena is pregnant, Rhaenyra shares the news with Mysaria, who secretly hides that she already knew. Soon, Helaena’s strange behavior becomes increasingly important. Rather than eating, she quietly spends her time creating prophetic needlework that points to Aemond remaining at Harrenhal.

Alicent believes her daughter's visions and decides to betray Aemond in order to protect Helaena and her unborn child. She tells Rhaenyra where Aemond can likely be found. Meanwhile, Aemond prepares to leave Harrenhal, unaware of the trap that's forming around him.

Alys Rivers then encourages him to stay by giving information about hidden dragon eggs and proposing that they rule together. It seems like this is a kind of partnership that Aemond is willing to accept.

Before episode 6 of House of the Dragon Season 3 ends, we also see that Rhaena’s secret hiding place is exposed, Baela grows closer to Alyn, and Aegon plans to flee to Essos. The Iron Throne also wounds Rhaenyra, and Corlys finally agrees to help defend King’s Landing. However, Ormund’s forces attack first and capture the Seasnake, leaving the war even more uncertain.

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Also Read: House of the Dragon Season 3: Here’s what Daemon’s untranslated line to Rhaena in Episode 4 reportedly means

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